Goodbye, Winter
Yes, I am giving you all full permission to be completely jealous of the 70 degree weather I am having here. I heard you got more snow.
Monday morning my Theology class was on sight. The first church we met at, according to Rick Steves, is referred to as "The Bone Church". The actual church is above where the bones are kept, but the crypt is very creepy. I did not enjoy this at all. Whoever decided it would be a good idea to dismember all the bones from each other (even the vertebrae were piece by piece) was seriously stage twelve mentally unstable. Naturally, the people that work there have to be also. I'm sorry this section might not be coherent, but I'm having trouble describing the workings of a psychotic artist's brain (if you can call it a brain). The woman who was telling us no pictures, no talking, no whatever, warned us that we need to be respectful because there were thousands of people sleeping. Sleeping? seriously, you have the audacity to put bones into designs, yes, lamps were hung by femur bones, floral arrangements included ribs, finger bones, pelvic parts, small child hanging down from the ceiling encircled by a nifty little design of the vertebrae, and you are going to say they are sleeping? It was a weird experience. I didn't like it all. I won't go back. I felt too close to the dead people's body parts. Catholic? How about satanic?
The next few churches were beautiful. I was running late in the morning and forgot my camera, but I'm going to try and go back to take pictures. Not of the bone church, of the other normal, beautiful, non creepy churches that we went to.
Tuesday was more wine tasting. This time the wine was Tuscan, it was good; again I liked the cheaper one better, it tasted more natural. This was because of the way it was aged, though, not because it was cheaper. I feel like I could write a book on wine and wine tasting now. I know many of you (mainly my aunts) love wine, and I can't wait to tell you all about the process and how the grapes are made, and how you can learn so much from the label alone. I'm thinking of changing my major from speech pathology to wine studies...another few years in Italy? I don't think I'd mind that. Taste wine as a profession? I don't think I'd mind that either.
Wednesday for my on site Art in Rome class we first went to San Clemente. It is a three story church that has been excavated. Obviously, the lower in level you go, the older the church is. The church is named after San Clement (big surprise) who was the third in line of the papal succession. (about 91-101 AD). [I am using writing this blog as studying for my Art in Rome test on Wednesday, so be prepared for a lot of information] Some early Christian historians identify him as the Clement mentioned by St. Paul in his Letter to the Phillipians.
The lowest level can be dated back to the first century AD. The lowest level was most likely not always a church, but at some point in time was possibly occupied by a Christian community because of the layout being is basilica form. The second level dates back to the fourth century, however it suffered severe damage. The present church, built in the eleventh century is absolutely gorgeous. There is a type of mosaic, called a cosmati, in one of the adjacent chapels. The Dome is beautiful and tells the story of Christ on the Cross. Below the arms of the cross are Mary and St. John. Doves surround the Dome. There are twelve, and although doves have numerous significances in the catholic church, here they represented the twelve apostles.
The final stop for the day was at San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter's in Chains). There are two important things in this church:
1. The tomb of Julius II...the tomb isn't so much important as the Moses sculpture that is underneath it. The sculpture was crafted by Michaelangelo.
2. Supposedly the two chains that St. Peter was bound with miraculously bound together, an are now in a shrine there. It was really cool to see.
Thursday was more wine. Actually, it was our last wine tasting class. This time we had wines from Piedemont. It's on the border with France, so they were quite different. (Although still made the traditional Italian way). They were both high in cost, but I liked the one that didn't smell like flowers. Most of you probably know that when getting a strong wiff of flowers I immediately think of wakes, which makes me think of dead people, which is my great fear, thus resulting in hyperventilating (just kidding, it's not that much of a phobia), but I liked the one that smelled like wood. It reminded me of Door County.....which by the way...come visit me up there this summer, because I will once again be a waitress at JJ's.
Fr. Al took 18 of us to a pizza place in Trastevere for dinner. It was absolutely delicious. I had grilled peppers on mine, and it was fantastic. We had wine with dinner and lemoncello for dessert. We were separated into three tables due to space. I ended up sitting with 4 guys I didn't know very well, and it was nice to meet new people. We stayed downtown for awhile after which was fun.
And now Friday, oh Friday, I love not having classes. It was a gorgeous day so my friend, Mary Beth, and I went downtown to see somethings we hadn't. We went to Bocca della Vertita (Mouth of Truth). It has a very interesting history as it was built on the site where Romulus and Remus were said to have founded Rome. Legend has it you stick you hand in the mouth and it will bite you if you're a liar. Hands are still on! [forgot my camera Friday too, so I'll steal those pics as soon as possible]. If you've ever seen Roman Holiday (Vacanza Romana) with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, there is a scene with them sticking their hands in it. Fun fact, I suppose.
Next we went to the Knights of Malta Piazza. In the piazza there are so many members of the carabineri holding their machine guns, looking young, probably about my age, and smiling. It's funny that they are so much friendlier than the police, because all they need to do is point that thing at you, and BAMMM you're a goner, but maybe that's why they're happy....they have all the power in every situation. Unless they get upset with each other. Anyway, you're probably wondering why I went to this particular place, well it wasn't for the machine guns. I like my head, thank you very much. Except I have noticed I have a larger head for my body structure than normal, but anyway there is this beautiful view of St. Peter's. To see the view you look through a key hole. I'm not exaggerating at all here, it's just a key hole, but you have a picture perfect view. Except you can't really take a picture through a keyhole. It was really amazing. Especially with the sun out and the skies blue!
Thoughts and Information that you might not find useful at all. Or Perhaps, you'll find it life changing. (My guess it's the first)
1. The landings of the Spanish Steps represent the Holy Trinity. [I thought that was pretty neat]
2. I was talking with the Dean here (he's a very interesting man...super super tall, hilarious, mid 40s, Dutch...(If ya ain't dutch, you ain't much!!), the man was knighted (although he hasn't told us why), and he speaks about four billion languages. Anyway, I was talking to him about my difficulty speaking Italian. How I can carry on a conversation with a stranger on the street, but Maria Palladino terrifies me, and my mind always goes blank. His advice: "Laura, I think that you need to have a glass or two of wine before you ever enter her class, because it will get your thoughts flowing better". Now, this is nice advice, but I was surprised to hear it from the dean; anyway, something needs to get the thoughts flowing better, but I have Italian in the middle of the day, so that may not be the best option. He said that's how he learned the language.
3. You get to see my pretty face live in 8.5 weeks. Please don't wish that to go too fast. You can always talk to me on skype, but video is not really an option.
28.3.11
WWII in Italy
The second weekend of school we were given the opportunity to sign up for study trips. Some were to other countries, while others in different Italian cities. I chose to sign up for one in Rome. Two JFRC alumni come back every semester to take a group of 25 students through a weekend of WWII spots in and near Rome.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Anzio
Nettuno
Rome
Saturday we started out at the German and the American cemeteries in Nettuno, right outside Rome. The were very different. The German cemetery had only crosses. Over 27,000 German soldiers were buried there, but there were three names to a cross, and then another 3 on the back. The unidentified graves were labeled "A German Soldier". The American cemetery was beautiful. There were white crosses, and for the Jewish soldiers there were Stars of David. The unidentified graves read "Here rests, in honored glory, a comrade in arms, known but to God". I thought this was absolutely beautiful, and a more personal way of remembering those unknown soldiers.
The American cemetery had a memorial monument, a very moving chapel with all of the soldiers' names in the cemetery, and a museum.
In the American cemetery there are 5 known Loyola Alums. It is hard for me to describe how this (and the rest of the weekend) experience felt because I wouldn't say that it could be called fun or cool,but it was very educational and very eye opening and a good experience. The whole weekend really got me thinking, especially when you see how young so many of the soldiers were. Most were around the age I am now. I know this isn't a new realization or anything, but when I think of WWII I always think of my grandpas and my Uncle who fought for our country. I know that they were around my age during this time, but I guess I never really put myself in the picture. I can't imagine having all my cousins or friends fighting right now. It also made me realize that the generations of WWII had to grow up so quickly and mature at such a young age, and it makes the rest of the difference between my generation seems so much clearer.
It didn't feel right to take pictures of many things I saw. For example, the cemeteries. I know many people did, and maybe I'll steal some of theirs, but for now, there will be no pictures on this post. It just seemed a bit disrespectful to me at the time.
The site for the cemetery has pictures, so you can access them through this site:
http://nuke.montecassinotour.com/THEWARCEMETERIESATANZIONETTUNO/tabid/80/Default.aspx
After the cemetery we went to an amazing museum. I didn't have my camera, but I made my friends take pictures, so I'll have those up in the next few days. The museum captured the battle of Monte Cassino. The museum was a series of life sized dioramas. It felt so real, it had all the real equipment and uniforms, the dummies looked like actual humans, the scenery was like you were on the beach, or in the mountains, or wherever that certain battle that was being described was being fought. The sound affects were even frightening.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday was very interesting and extremely sad. The day was meant to reflect a 24 hour period in Rome where a group of students, headed by students, Carla Capponi and Rosario Bentivegna, led an attempt at resistance to the German soldiers in Rome. Every day, at the same time and same place, German soldiers marched (three abreast) up and down the same route, passing Il Duce's house. Bentivegna dressed up like a sanitation worker, and wheeled the bomb onto the route; he had 45 seconds to run. Carla met him giving him a robe to put over the sanitation outfit. They killed somewhere around 35 of the Germans. Hitler of course was not happy with this, and ordered the Germans in Rome to kill ten Romans for ever German killed. They took many of the people from prison (who were not in prison for good reason, over 65 were in prison for being Jewish). After we walked the street, Via Rasella, (where the holes in the buildings are still present from the shattering bomb) we went to Fosse Ardeatine. Fosse Ardeatine is the cave in which they killed the ten Italians for every German. The Germans decided that each soldier would kill 5 of the Italians. It was also ordered that they do it drunk, since many of the Germans were not wanting to take part, but if they didn't, they too would be in the cave. In the end only one of the Germans did not take part because he fainted at the site of the Italians inside the cave. They German soldiers also had it planned how to kill the Italians with one shot so that it wouldn't be "messy", but because they were so drunk, it didn't go as planned, and it caused the Italians to suffer greatly in the caves. There was one family that had 6 members killed, ranging from the age of 14-somewhere in his 60s. When they were pulling these men (and boys) out of the prison and bringing them to the caves, they obviously did not tell them what was going to happen. In the family I had just mentioned, there was one boy that was left out, the 17 year old. Having been locked up, and thinking the rest of his family was going to work outside, he told the German soldiers that they forgot his name, and so they chose him too. All of the Italians that were killed in the caves, are also buried there. It is quite different from the cemeteries I saw the day before. There are rows of graves, with the name, picture, age of the man. It was really a very difficult morning. Families of the people were standing near the graves, putting flowers on them, and witnessing such acts emphasized the tragedies that the whole world endured.
After we went to the caves, we made our way to the Gestapo Headquarters, which is now the Liberation Museum in Rome. It's located very close to San Giovanni (which I talked about in an earlier post). Here we were able to go into holding cells; the walls were covered with documents from the war. Arrest papers that you could clearly read "Motivo (reason): Ebrew (Hebrew)." Some were written in German also. The handwritten list of the Italians that were killed in Fosse Ardeatine was on another wall. Newspapers wallpapered the walls, and looking at the headlines was shocking. Inside the isolation cells, the prisoners would scratch how many days they had been there, or write notes, or even simple sentences that had so much meaning to them.
The two men who led the trip treated us to an amazing lunch after, and I sat with some girls I didn't know very well, so it was really nice to meet new people...and eat a good Italian meal.
Random Facts
1. This is really just a summary of everything I learned; there was so much, too much to write about, but it's something I'd like to tell you about in person.
2. I especially found some of the stories about the heroic nurses fascinating. You don't hear about their fights very often, and listening to those stories was inspiring.
3. The men who led our trip sent us a guide to WWII in Rome, so I'm attaching it just in case I wasn't clear about something, or I don't know, it's pretty interesting, so if you're looking for something to read.
http://www.nprg.com/Portals/2/nprg_com%20Files/ForTheCommunity/RomeGuideThirdEditionFinal.pdf
http://nuke.montecassinotour.com/THEWARCEMETERIESATANZIONETTUNO/tabid/80/Default.aspx
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Anzio
Nettuno
Rome
Saturday we started out at the German and the American cemeteries in Nettuno, right outside Rome. The were very different. The German cemetery had only crosses. Over 27,000 German soldiers were buried there, but there were three names to a cross, and then another 3 on the back. The unidentified graves were labeled "A German Soldier". The American cemetery was beautiful. There were white crosses, and for the Jewish soldiers there were Stars of David. The unidentified graves read "Here rests, in honored glory, a comrade in arms, known but to God". I thought this was absolutely beautiful, and a more personal way of remembering those unknown soldiers.
The American cemetery had a memorial monument, a very moving chapel with all of the soldiers' names in the cemetery, and a museum.
In the American cemetery there are 5 known Loyola Alums. It is hard for me to describe how this (and the rest of the weekend) experience felt because I wouldn't say that it could be called fun or cool,but it was very educational and very eye opening and a good experience. The whole weekend really got me thinking, especially when you see how young so many of the soldiers were. Most were around the age I am now. I know this isn't a new realization or anything, but when I think of WWII I always think of my grandpas and my Uncle who fought for our country. I know that they were around my age during this time, but I guess I never really put myself in the picture. I can't imagine having all my cousins or friends fighting right now. It also made me realize that the generations of WWII had to grow up so quickly and mature at such a young age, and it makes the rest of the difference between my generation seems so much clearer.
It didn't feel right to take pictures of many things I saw. For example, the cemeteries. I know many people did, and maybe I'll steal some of theirs, but for now, there will be no pictures on this post. It just seemed a bit disrespectful to me at the time.
The site for the cemetery has pictures, so you can access them through this site:
http://nuke.montecassinotour.com/THEWARCEMETERIESATANZIONETTUNO/tabid/80/Default.aspx
After the cemetery we went to an amazing museum. I didn't have my camera, but I made my friends take pictures, so I'll have those up in the next few days. The museum captured the battle of Monte Cassino. The museum was a series of life sized dioramas. It felt so real, it had all the real equipment and uniforms, the dummies looked like actual humans, the scenery was like you were on the beach, or in the mountains, or wherever that certain battle that was being described was being fought. The sound affects were even frightening.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday was very interesting and extremely sad. The day was meant to reflect a 24 hour period in Rome where a group of students, headed by students, Carla Capponi and Rosario Bentivegna, led an attempt at resistance to the German soldiers in Rome. Every day, at the same time and same place, German soldiers marched (three abreast) up and down the same route, passing Il Duce's house. Bentivegna dressed up like a sanitation worker, and wheeled the bomb onto the route; he had 45 seconds to run. Carla met him giving him a robe to put over the sanitation outfit. They killed somewhere around 35 of the Germans. Hitler of course was not happy with this, and ordered the Germans in Rome to kill ten Romans for ever German killed. They took many of the people from prison (who were not in prison for good reason, over 65 were in prison for being Jewish). After we walked the street, Via Rasella, (where the holes in the buildings are still present from the shattering bomb) we went to Fosse Ardeatine. Fosse Ardeatine is the cave in which they killed the ten Italians for every German. The Germans decided that each soldier would kill 5 of the Italians. It was also ordered that they do it drunk, since many of the Germans were not wanting to take part, but if they didn't, they too would be in the cave. In the end only one of the Germans did not take part because he fainted at the site of the Italians inside the cave. They German soldiers also had it planned how to kill the Italians with one shot so that it wouldn't be "messy", but because they were so drunk, it didn't go as planned, and it caused the Italians to suffer greatly in the caves. There was one family that had 6 members killed, ranging from the age of 14-somewhere in his 60s. When they were pulling these men (and boys) out of the prison and bringing them to the caves, they obviously did not tell them what was going to happen. In the family I had just mentioned, there was one boy that was left out, the 17 year old. Having been locked up, and thinking the rest of his family was going to work outside, he told the German soldiers that they forgot his name, and so they chose him too. All of the Italians that were killed in the caves, are also buried there. It is quite different from the cemeteries I saw the day before. There are rows of graves, with the name, picture, age of the man. It was really a very difficult morning. Families of the people were standing near the graves, putting flowers on them, and witnessing such acts emphasized the tragedies that the whole world endured.
After we went to the caves, we made our way to the Gestapo Headquarters, which is now the Liberation Museum in Rome. It's located very close to San Giovanni (which I talked about in an earlier post). Here we were able to go into holding cells; the walls were covered with documents from the war. Arrest papers that you could clearly read "Motivo (reason): Ebrew (Hebrew)." Some were written in German also. The handwritten list of the Italians that were killed in Fosse Ardeatine was on another wall. Newspapers wallpapered the walls, and looking at the headlines was shocking. Inside the isolation cells, the prisoners would scratch how many days they had been there, or write notes, or even simple sentences that had so much meaning to them.
The two men who led the trip treated us to an amazing lunch after, and I sat with some girls I didn't know very well, so it was really nice to meet new people...and eat a good Italian meal.
Random Facts
1. This is really just a summary of everything I learned; there was so much, too much to write about, but it's something I'd like to tell you about in person.
2. I especially found some of the stories about the heroic nurses fascinating. You don't hear about their fights very often, and listening to those stories was inspiring.
3. The men who led our trip sent us a guide to WWII in Rome, so I'm attaching it just in case I wasn't clear about something, or I don't know, it's pretty interesting, so if you're looking for something to read.
http://www.nprg.com/Portals/2/nprg_com%20Files/ForTheCommunity/RomeGuideThirdEditionFinal.pdf
http://nuke.montecassinotour.com/THEWARCEMETERIESATANZIONETTUNO/tabid/80/Default.aspx
Holy Cannoli
Sorry for taking so long to update, I have so many things to write about, but while I'm working on that...a little story that might give you a laugh on a Monday.
It's 70 degrees. Clear blue skies. Sun shining. I'm on a wonderful walk to meet my friend, Lauren, at the Isla Tiber (The island in the middle of the Tiber River.) Google a picture of the Vatican so you can fully picture the rest of this story. Now imagine it. Think of how busy it must be on a Sunday afternoon. Now multiply whatever you're thinking, because on the last Sunday of each month the Vatican Museums are free.
Lauren's mom brought some things my mom and dad gave her...raincoat, pants, card. So I thought, that was so nice, I'm running early, I'll bring Lauren a cannoli. [Bring your thoughts back to that crowded Vatican] As I'm passing the Vatican I trip over myself. Not even a crack in the sidewalk, not a curb, not even my own feet...I just fell. Then bodysurfed along the ground. Ok, I've fallen before, not a big deal. Well I ended up smashing the cannoli all over my face as I hit the ground. Now think of that crowd. Imagine them all circling around you laughing. Two women, while laughing of course, did ask me if I was ok in Italian. I'm not one to get embarrassed too easily, but it was bad. I quickly got up, face dripping with cannoli and arms dripping with blood, and broke through the circle that formed around me, and walked away quickly. very quickly. Now I have major cuts up my arm, along with a few cuts on the knees. At least the cannoli tasted good. Too bad Lauren never got it. I guess it's the thought that counts.
It's 70 degrees. Clear blue skies. Sun shining. I'm on a wonderful walk to meet my friend, Lauren, at the Isla Tiber (The island in the middle of the Tiber River.) Google a picture of the Vatican so you can fully picture the rest of this story. Now imagine it. Think of how busy it must be on a Sunday afternoon. Now multiply whatever you're thinking, because on the last Sunday of each month the Vatican Museums are free.
Lauren's mom brought some things my mom and dad gave her...raincoat, pants, card. So I thought, that was so nice, I'm running early, I'll bring Lauren a cannoli. [Bring your thoughts back to that crowded Vatican] As I'm passing the Vatican I trip over myself. Not even a crack in the sidewalk, not a curb, not even my own feet...I just fell. Then bodysurfed along the ground. Ok, I've fallen before, not a big deal. Well I ended up smashing the cannoli all over my face as I hit the ground. Now think of that crowd. Imagine them all circling around you laughing. Two women, while laughing of course, did ask me if I was ok in Italian. I'm not one to get embarrassed too easily, but it was bad. I quickly got up, face dripping with cannoli and arms dripping with blood, and broke through the circle that formed around me, and walked away quickly. very quickly. Now I have major cuts up my arm, along with a few cuts on the knees. At least the cannoli tasted good. Too bad Lauren never got it. I guess it's the thought that counts.
27.3.11
A week past half.
Wowza, I'm half way done with my semester already, and that is one of the most terrifying thoughts. I can't believe how fast it's going by, and I sure do miss you all at home, but (and don't take this the wrong way) I don't really want to leave. Two weeks ago (the first week back from spring break).........
Sunday my sister's friends from St. Mary's University in Winona were in Rome. Berno was in the Chamber Singers there before she had to grow up and graduate. Anyway, the Chamber Singers were on tour in Rome, and I was lucky enough to catch their last concert. I dragged my friend, Lauren, with me and together we headed for Santa Susanna to listen to them perform. They were magnificent! I also really liked the church. You learn something new everyday, because I didn't know that it was the English Speaking Parish. (It's not that I don't go to mass, I just don't go there for any of you thinking I've become a pagan.) The inside was a total change and welcome back to Rome from what I had seen in Ireland and Scotland. (Another perk: free food and coffee after mass!!)
Monday was kind of a dull day. I know, hard to believe those exist in Rome, but any energy I had left over from the trip was completely drained out of me. I made it through classes (barely, thank you Maria Palladino for making me not want to continue learning the Italian language).
After a long, deep sleep I woke up to meet Lauren. We usually spend out Tuesday mornings/afternoons together. Tuesday's agenda: going inside Castel San Angelo. Way back in the beginning of my travels, semester, time abroad...whatever you wish to call it, I mentioned admiring the outside and it's beauty. Well we finally dragged ourselves inside. It's really neat. Especially the weaponry. You can also see the path that leads to the Vatican. (If you've seen Angels and Demons, it's the path in the movie) The path exists to guard the Pope. It leads underground from the Vatican to the castle. Sadly, and for obvious reasons, you cannot travel the path. However, it was really cool to be able to see it. The view from the top of the castle was also another perk to the adventure.
I had my Food and Wine class at 2:20 that afternoon, and we finally started the section on wine. It was very interesting. I laughed when he said that 90 percent of wine is just a socially acceptable drug. He explained so much, but some interesting facts: (I will save most for when you ask me all about my semester, and I can impress you with my wine knowlege)
* It takes 1.2kg of grapes to make 1L of wine
* You can tell alot by the color and smell of wine alone.
* Italian wine is better than French wine
* There are four different techniques to age wine
* Being a wine master seems like a pretty sweet job...
I must say I definately felt a little tipsy after class. We had two glasses in under a half hour. Both wines we tried were Sicilian wines. Italian actually seemed bearable on Tuesday, which is highly unusual, rare actually.
Wednesday it rained all day....which meant that calcio was canceled. Kinda disappointing, but kinda nice. I was able to catch up on some homework and study.
Thursday.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIFICATION OF ITALY!!! It's amazing to have studied over 3000 years of history in Italy, but the country has only been unified for 150 years. It seems that many Italians still refer to themselves by their region or city. I've noticed this especially in Rome. I wasn't feeling well so I didn't go out to celebrate either holiday, but it was strange not having a countdown to parade day ( I did wear green though).
I also had my second wine class. Thursday's wines were Montepulciano from the Abruzzio region. He tells us the quality and prices at the end. I liked the cheaper one better; I guess it's good I don't have expensive taste.
It was a pretty busy, but fulfilling week, and I'm really happy to be getting to know Rome better. I can get around really well, and have even helped people in need of directions.
Random Facts
1. Referring back to helping people in need of directions...Some woman asked me how to get to the Trevi Fountain. This happened right near the Vatican (so kind of a hike, but doable). Then she asks me if I lived in Rome. I explained how I was studying here this semester, and she asks how old I am. I say 21. Direct quote from lady, "Are you serious? You look like such a baby. I wouldn't have guessed a day over 12." Well thanks, Lady. What's are you doing asking a 12 year old for directions? I know I look young, but seriously 12? I almost gave her the wrong directions to spite her, but since we were in front of St. Peter's I thought the severity of my sin would double or something...or maybe I would have been forgiven faster? I'm going with the second one. Next time I will have to remember that.
2. It seems to always Rain on Wednesdays
3. I do not look twelve.
Sunday my sister's friends from St. Mary's University in Winona were in Rome. Berno was in the Chamber Singers there before she had to grow up and graduate. Anyway, the Chamber Singers were on tour in Rome, and I was lucky enough to catch their last concert. I dragged my friend, Lauren, with me and together we headed for Santa Susanna to listen to them perform. They were magnificent! I also really liked the church. You learn something new everyday, because I didn't know that it was the English Speaking Parish. (It's not that I don't go to mass, I just don't go there for any of you thinking I've become a pagan.) The inside was a total change and welcome back to Rome from what I had seen in Ireland and Scotland. (Another perk: free food and coffee after mass!!)
Monday was kind of a dull day. I know, hard to believe those exist in Rome, but any energy I had left over from the trip was completely drained out of me. I made it through classes (barely, thank you Maria Palladino for making me not want to continue learning the Italian language).
After a long, deep sleep I woke up to meet Lauren. We usually spend out Tuesday mornings/afternoons together. Tuesday's agenda: going inside Castel San Angelo. Way back in the beginning of my travels, semester, time abroad...whatever you wish to call it, I mentioned admiring the outside and it's beauty. Well we finally dragged ourselves inside. It's really neat. Especially the weaponry. You can also see the path that leads to the Vatican. (If you've seen Angels and Demons, it's the path in the movie) The path exists to guard the Pope. It leads underground from the Vatican to the castle. Sadly, and for obvious reasons, you cannot travel the path. However, it was really cool to be able to see it. The view from the top of the castle was also another perk to the adventure.
I had my Food and Wine class at 2:20 that afternoon, and we finally started the section on wine. It was very interesting. I laughed when he said that 90 percent of wine is just a socially acceptable drug. He explained so much, but some interesting facts: (I will save most for when you ask me all about my semester, and I can impress you with my wine knowlege)
* It takes 1.2kg of grapes to make 1L of wine
* You can tell alot by the color and smell of wine alone.
* Italian wine is better than French wine
* There are four different techniques to age wine
* Being a wine master seems like a pretty sweet job...
I must say I definately felt a little tipsy after class. We had two glasses in under a half hour. Both wines we tried were Sicilian wines. Italian actually seemed bearable on Tuesday, which is highly unusual, rare actually.
Wednesday it rained all day....which meant that calcio was canceled. Kinda disappointing, but kinda nice. I was able to catch up on some homework and study.
Thursday.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIFICATION OF ITALY!!! It's amazing to have studied over 3000 years of history in Italy, but the country has only been unified for 150 years. It seems that many Italians still refer to themselves by their region or city. I've noticed this especially in Rome. I wasn't feeling well so I didn't go out to celebrate either holiday, but it was strange not having a countdown to parade day ( I did wear green though).
I also had my second wine class. Thursday's wines were Montepulciano from the Abruzzio region. He tells us the quality and prices at the end. I liked the cheaper one better; I guess it's good I don't have expensive taste.
It was a pretty busy, but fulfilling week, and I'm really happy to be getting to know Rome better. I can get around really well, and have even helped people in need of directions.
Random Facts
1. Referring back to helping people in need of directions...Some woman asked me how to get to the Trevi Fountain. This happened right near the Vatican (so kind of a hike, but doable). Then she asks me if I lived in Rome. I explained how I was studying here this semester, and she asks how old I am. I say 21. Direct quote from lady, "Are you serious? You look like such a baby. I wouldn't have guessed a day over 12." Well thanks, Lady. What's are you doing asking a 12 year old for directions? I know I look young, but seriously 12? I almost gave her the wrong directions to spite her, but since we were in front of St. Peter's I thought the severity of my sin would double or something...or maybe I would have been forgiven faster? I'm going with the second one. Next time I will have to remember that.
2. It seems to always Rain on Wednesdays
3. I do not look twelve.
14.3.11
Spring Break Part IV: These Pounds are Killing Me
Oh Scotland.
Scotland, Scotland, Scotland. Where do I begin. Well I guess I have to begin in Galway, because that is where I got the message from the other girls I was going to Edinburgh with that they canceled the hostel that was reserved on my card because they just didn't feel safe there. Background story: Bernadette Raspante, yes, that is right, my SISTER, stayed at this hostel and recommended it to us. Of course, it's her secret evil plan to send me into a danger zone purposely and have scary Scotland natives rob us of our belongings and safety. But, you know, I guess they aren't use to having a sister like that, so they booked us a different hostel. For double the price. Well, I get my stubbornness from both sides of the family, and to everyone who I explained this situation to assured me I was not being unreasonable to be a bit upset. So, in the end I did Edinburgh by myself, in my own cheap, safe hostel. (Joke's on them too, 'cause I did go to their hostel one night, and mine had triple the security, cleaner, and better location). So, family reading this, I know that you are probably thinking me, by myself, in a foreign city is a disaster waiting to happen. However, Edinburgh turned out to be one of my favorite places I've ever been. I met so many great people, and learned so much about myself. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
Thursday
Edinburgh, Scotland
Thursday morning I woke up (still alive and all my belongings present in my big scary hostel) and had the whole day ahead of me to myself to do WHATEVER I wanted. I looked at the day in two ways: 1. be a crazy tourist and go from destination to destination, or 2: take my map (yeah, the one I can't read because I'm directionally challenged) and just go, wander and see what I see. I chose option two. Of course, I wanted to see all the main sites, and I did, but on my own terms.
My first stop was because of my rumbling stomach. NERD ALERT: you will hear a lot of Harry Potter references. Around the corner from my hostel, is a cafe called The Elephant House. This is the cafe that JK Rowling had the inspiration to write Harry Potter. She use to sit in the back and stare out the window at the Edinburgh Castle (Hogwarts), and she wrote on napkins making her coffee last as long as she could. Naturally, a devoted fan like myself needed to eat in the same place, so I bought myself some scrambled eggs (something I've missed so much since being in Italy, especially because breakfast is my favorite meal and the Italians don't see the importance of it), and plopped myself down writing postcards. A cup of tea in (yeah I drink tea now, strange I know...I use to want to barf at the smell of it) and I decided to go to the bathroom. You're probably thinking TMI, Laura. But, the bathrooms were so cool! The doors were full of people writing in Harry Potter quotes...even a list of Dumbledore's Army (I'm number 147) and one of the toilet seats even had a Harry Potter Cover. This is the part where I fully support you making fun of me.
Anyway, satisfied with my Harry Potter fix and my scrambled eggs, I left The Elephant House and set out for a full day of exploring. I walked the Royal Mile, which is exquisite. The architecture in Edinburgh is nothing of what I was expecting.
I walked to the end of the Royal Mile to the Edinburgh Castle. I didn't go in, but it was about this time that it started flurrying a little. The view was pretty, and The Castle was mind boggling.
I went into the St. Gile's Cathedral. Again, the architecture was just pure astonishing.
I stumbled across the University's Library, and you had to have a keycard to get in, but someone was walking in before me, so I managed to sneak in. It was gorgeous. By far, the prettiest library I've ever seen. The windows were astonishing. Sadly, I was unable to take a picture because it would probably draw attention to the fact that I wasn't suppose to be in there.
From far away, I saw another tower. As I walked to it, I found that it was Calton Hill. It was absolutely gorgeous. The tower isn't tall, but it's on the hill. There are also ruins on the hill.
Near my hostel was a few cute streets of shops. I found this vintage store, that I wanted to buy about fifty dresses from, but settled for none. The store was basically the wardrobe I dream of.
I walked in and out of some of the tourist shops, then headed to Princes Street. Princes Street is comparable to State Street in Chicago. At this point the hail hurt as the wind blew it into your face, so I took the opportunity to look in all the shops. Something I've come to notice is that every major city (if you don't look around you at the architecture, don't listen to the language, and just walk and down the main street of shops, you'll never know where you are. Edinburgh had it all... H&M, Urban Outfitters, multiple European Department Stores, etc)
I stumbled upon a free art museum, and spent about two hours marveling at the wonderful works. I was lucky enough to see da Vinci, Raphael, and so many other famous painters. I especially enjoyed the Scottish exhibit and the works of James Grahm.
Along Princess Street are these beautiful Gardens, different than the Castle's Gardens which are also magnificent. There is a huge monument dedicated to James Scott. He was a famous writer. Literally, this monument is ginormous.
Friday
Still in Edinburgh, Scotland
Friday Morning my plan was to take a free walking tour of Edinburgh that my hostel offered. But, at the start I found that I had already been to all the places, and decided I would go explore on my own some more. So I began my day at the Greyfriar's Kirkyard...with the dead.
Now, ironically, one of my greatest fears is dead people. I know, how is someone who has been to countless wakes and funerals (big families) afraid of dead people? I cannot answer that, I just know that I am. Even seeing the fake corpses on all my favorite crime shows makes me cringe. Anyway, the cemetary was actually really neat, probably because I went during the day with ample sunlight. The grave stones were all so old. I took many pictures, which looking back seems odd, but some of them struck me in odd ways.
For example, Bobby. The Friar's faithful dog. (This dog has statues and pubs dedicated to him throughout the city). The dog's tombstone is bigger than the Friar's.
Again, with the dog...how would you feel if your tombstone just read : the kindness and Affection of a Dear Friend. Obviously the friend wasn't dear enough for a name or date or anything, but at least the mystery person was kind.
This person is the only person in the cemetery that is still loved (besides Bobby). All the other graves are abandoned.
Another strange fact about the cemetery is that a majority of the people died so young. And, the thought occurred to me that if I lived 200 years ago, I'd probably already be dead.
So, after spending enough time with the dead people, I wandered around some of the outskirty neighborhoods, through the University of Edinburgh's grounds, and ended up in their Millennium Park. It was freezing out, but so worth the walk. It was so nice to just stroll around, at my own fast pace that everyone complains about, and take in the city.
I stumbled across 2 churches. One was Catholic and the other was Evangelical. And Guess what?? Another major perk about Edinburgh is that they don't make you pay to go in! St. Patrick's was the Catholic one and it was gorgeous.
I went into St. Michael's because I really liked the outside. When I first entered there was a group of about 8 middle aged adults chatting around tea and biscuits. I didn't want to bother them, so I turned to leave, but a guy jumped up (the organist as I later found out) and asked if I needed anything. I told him I was just looking, and he gave me a tour of the church, explaining the interior and exterior architecture and design..even gave me a pamphlet on it. Then invited me to join them for tea and biscuits. I didn't join them, but the hospitality was just really surprising and welcoming.
After that I was stopped by this younger guy, probably late twenties, on the North Bridge. He asked me what I had already done here. I guess he could tell I was a tourist, but that's beside the point. I told him the basics, and he told me I needed to climb the Salisbury Caves and Arthur's Seat. You start on on the caves, but they connect to Arthur's seat. I'm not one to turn down a hike, especially when promised the best view of Edinburgh, so I promptly set out for my adventure.
Some history about Arthur's Seat: Arthur's Seat is one of the places that is believed to be a possible location for Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Also, it is the collapsed remains of a volcano that last erupted 335 million years ago. It's not exactly the highest climb, but at some points...especially near the top...you have to use your hands also, and with the snowy rain, it was very slippery. When I got back, I researched some more information about Arthur's seat. I found out that their is tales of witchcraft linked to the mountain. Also, it is not the safest hike, so many people have fallen off the cliffs (Don't freak out, Mom, I'm alive to tell the tales). Most people don't die when they fall, and it's almost 1000feet from the ground. 4 people have been recorded who have tried to jump to end their lives, and not all were successful.
2 quick notes: 1. climbing in a tighter fitting pair of jeans and converse=not the best idea...but when dressing that morning, climbing an ancient volcano wasn't in my plans. 2. Climbing in really windy snow on a cold day, also not one of my smartest decisions, but so worth it!
The first part of the way I up I met a girl from Argentina. She was 22 and just traveling for awhile. We talked for half the way up, before she didn't feel like climbing anymore. I love how I'm just meeting random people from all over the world. Sure, I'll probably never see most of them again, but culturally the conversations are so interesting!
I started to get a little nervous as I was climbing by myself. The wind was really strong, and I'm not the easiest person to blow over, but there were times when I felt like it could push me down. I'm afraid of heights (some of you know that I wanted to be a roofer, but sadly this fear dampened those dreams). The previous night I met a man who is 100 percent convinced the world is ending in 2012, and he told me that I should live 2011 with no regrets, so I kept climbing. I'm so glad I did, because I felt amazing at the top. I sat for awhile, just content with myself, and being awestruck by the views. Pictures don't do it any justice, but I'll put some up you can get an idea.
The climb down was much more anxiety inducing than the way up. It was so slippery and steep, but I made it down, obviously. On my way down in the Salisbury Caves I came across some ancient ruins of what use to be St. Anthony's Chapel.
At the very bottom, there was a pond full of swans that was absolutely beautiful. If you've ever seen the movie, The Notebook, it was sort of like when Noah and Allie are in the boat on the water.
I met up that night for dinner with the girls that changed all the plans. It was a little awkward, but they're the ones that changed the plans, so I have nothing to feel bad about. After dinner I realized that Scotland was the best experience I could have had. Some of my accomplishments may seem trivial, but to me they were empowering. I forced myself to meet so many new people: Aussies, Finnish girls, Argentinians, and French girls. I learned so much from each of them about their culture and their travels. I navigated myself around, never getting lost. Well, I might have been lost, but I never had a plan of where I was going so I'll never really know. This weekend was about me, and I realized that I'm perfectly fine on my own, and doing what I want and standing up for what I think is right is what will make me happy. I had an absolute blast, even if it didn't go as planned.
Tid Bits
1. As you're all aware (and if not, I worry that you've been quite late getting places this week) you had Daylight Savings Time on Sunday. Italy doesn't change the clocks for another 2 weeks. Wouldn't it be easier for, I don't know...the WHOLE WORLD, if everyone changed their clocks at the same time?
2. Dad, I almost bought egg dishes in each place. I didn't. I think I have enough now.
3. All the Christian, but not Catholic, churches in Scotland and Ireland had little play areas in back for the kids. Fully equipped with toys, crayons, and comfy rugs.
4. As my friend said, the pounds we were dropping were not the ones we wanted. Scotland's currency is the pound and the exchange rate was awful.
Scotland, Scotland, Scotland. Where do I begin. Well I guess I have to begin in Galway, because that is where I got the message from the other girls I was going to Edinburgh with that they canceled the hostel that was reserved on my card because they just didn't feel safe there. Background story: Bernadette Raspante, yes, that is right, my SISTER, stayed at this hostel and recommended it to us. Of course, it's her secret evil plan to send me into a danger zone purposely and have scary Scotland natives rob us of our belongings and safety. But, you know, I guess they aren't use to having a sister like that, so they booked us a different hostel. For double the price. Well, I get my stubbornness from both sides of the family, and to everyone who I explained this situation to assured me I was not being unreasonable to be a bit upset. So, in the end I did Edinburgh by myself, in my own cheap, safe hostel. (Joke's on them too, 'cause I did go to their hostel one night, and mine had triple the security, cleaner, and better location). So, family reading this, I know that you are probably thinking me, by myself, in a foreign city is a disaster waiting to happen. However, Edinburgh turned out to be one of my favorite places I've ever been. I met so many great people, and learned so much about myself. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
 |
| My Hostel. Looks pretty great, right? |
Thursday
Edinburgh, Scotland
Thursday morning I woke up (still alive and all my belongings present in my big scary hostel) and had the whole day ahead of me to myself to do WHATEVER I wanted. I looked at the day in two ways: 1. be a crazy tourist and go from destination to destination, or 2: take my map (yeah, the one I can't read because I'm directionally challenged) and just go, wander and see what I see. I chose option two. Of course, I wanted to see all the main sites, and I did, but on my own terms.
My first stop was because of my rumbling stomach. NERD ALERT: you will hear a lot of Harry Potter references. Around the corner from my hostel, is a cafe called The Elephant House. This is the cafe that JK Rowling had the inspiration to write Harry Potter. She use to sit in the back and stare out the window at the Edinburgh Castle (Hogwarts), and she wrote on napkins making her coffee last as long as she could. Naturally, a devoted fan like myself needed to eat in the same place, so I bought myself some scrambled eggs (something I've missed so much since being in Italy, especially because breakfast is my favorite meal and the Italians don't see the importance of it), and plopped myself down writing postcards. A cup of tea in (yeah I drink tea now, strange I know...I use to want to barf at the smell of it) and I decided to go to the bathroom. You're probably thinking TMI, Laura. But, the bathrooms were so cool! The doors were full of people writing in Harry Potter quotes...even a list of Dumbledore's Army (I'm number 147) and one of the toilet seats even had a Harry Potter Cover. This is the part where I fully support you making fun of me.
 |
| The Elephant House. |
 |
| Yeah, I took pictures of the bathroom. |
Anyway, satisfied with my Harry Potter fix and my scrambled eggs, I left The Elephant House and set out for a full day of exploring. I walked the Royal Mile, which is exquisite. The architecture in Edinburgh is nothing of what I was expecting.
I walked to the end of the Royal Mile to the Edinburgh Castle. I didn't go in, but it was about this time that it started flurrying a little. The view was pretty, and The Castle was mind boggling.
 |
| Walking up to the Edinburgh Castle. |
 |
| This little cottage is in the Castle's Park. I think it resembles Hagrid's Hut and the whomping willow. |
I went into the St. Gile's Cathedral. Again, the architecture was just pure astonishing.
 |
| St. Gile's Cathedral |
I stumbled across the University's Library, and you had to have a keycard to get in, but someone was walking in before me, so I managed to sneak in. It was gorgeous. By far, the prettiest library I've ever seen. The windows were astonishing. Sadly, I was unable to take a picture because it would probably draw attention to the fact that I wasn't suppose to be in there.
 |
| The Entrance into the University's Library that I snuck into. Also was able to use the bathroom for free!!! |
From far away, I saw another tower. As I walked to it, I found that it was Calton Hill. It was absolutely gorgeous. The tower isn't tall, but it's on the hill. There are also ruins on the hill.
Near my hostel was a few cute streets of shops. I found this vintage store, that I wanted to buy about fifty dresses from, but settled for none. The store was basically the wardrobe I dream of.
 |
| Street in Edinburgh |
I walked in and out of some of the tourist shops, then headed to Princes Street. Princes Street is comparable to State Street in Chicago. At this point the hail hurt as the wind blew it into your face, so I took the opportunity to look in all the shops. Something I've come to notice is that every major city (if you don't look around you at the architecture, don't listen to the language, and just walk and down the main street of shops, you'll never know where you are. Edinburgh had it all... H&M, Urban Outfitters, multiple European Department Stores, etc)
I stumbled upon a free art museum, and spent about two hours marveling at the wonderful works. I was lucky enough to see da Vinci, Raphael, and so many other famous painters. I especially enjoyed the Scottish exhibit and the works of James Grahm.
Along Princess Street are these beautiful Gardens, different than the Castle's Gardens which are also magnificent. There is a huge monument dedicated to James Scott. He was a famous writer. Literally, this monument is ginormous.
 |
| Keep in mind, that five minutes prior to me taking this picture it was hailing. Maybe I'll get a monument like this after I pick thousands of potatoes. who knows, it could happen. |
Friday
Still in Edinburgh, Scotland
Friday Morning my plan was to take a free walking tour of Edinburgh that my hostel offered. But, at the start I found that I had already been to all the places, and decided I would go explore on my own some more. So I began my day at the Greyfriar's Kirkyard...with the dead.
Now, ironically, one of my greatest fears is dead people. I know, how is someone who has been to countless wakes and funerals (big families) afraid of dead people? I cannot answer that, I just know that I am. Even seeing the fake corpses on all my favorite crime shows makes me cringe. Anyway, the cemetary was actually really neat, probably because I went during the day with ample sunlight. The grave stones were all so old. I took many pictures, which looking back seems odd, but some of them struck me in odd ways.
For example, Bobby. The Friar's faithful dog. (This dog has statues and pubs dedicated to him throughout the city). The dog's tombstone is bigger than the Friar's.
 |
| You cannot really tell that Bobby's is bigger because I took the pictures at different distances, but you can sort of make out where it says devoted owner of Bobby, or something similar. I hope I'm not remembered because of my dog. |
Again, with the dog...how would you feel if your tombstone just read : the kindness and Affection of a Dear Friend. Obviously the friend wasn't dear enough for a name or date or anything, but at least the mystery person was kind.
 |
| This guy's greatest success is being a friend to a dog? I wonder what he's thinking about looking down at that. |
This person is the only person in the cemetery that is still loved (besides Bobby). All the other graves are abandoned.
Another strange fact about the cemetery is that a majority of the people died so young. And, the thought occurred to me that if I lived 200 years ago, I'd probably already be dead.
So, after spending enough time with the dead people, I wandered around some of the outskirty neighborhoods, through the University of Edinburgh's grounds, and ended up in their Millennium Park. It was freezing out, but so worth the walk. It was so nice to just stroll around, at my own fast pace that everyone complains about, and take in the city.
 |
| Even though it was snowing, the flowers still looked absolutely beautiful in the park. |
I stumbled across 2 churches. One was Catholic and the other was Evangelical. And Guess what?? Another major perk about Edinburgh is that they don't make you pay to go in! St. Patrick's was the Catholic one and it was gorgeous.
 |
| The outside of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Edinburgh. |
I went into St. Michael's because I really liked the outside. When I first entered there was a group of about 8 middle aged adults chatting around tea and biscuits. I didn't want to bother them, so I turned to leave, but a guy jumped up (the organist as I later found out) and asked if I needed anything. I told him I was just looking, and he gave me a tour of the church, explaining the interior and exterior architecture and design..even gave me a pamphlet on it. Then invited me to join them for tea and biscuits. I didn't join them, but the hospitality was just really surprising and welcoming.
After that I was stopped by this younger guy, probably late twenties, on the North Bridge. He asked me what I had already done here. I guess he could tell I was a tourist, but that's beside the point. I told him the basics, and he told me I needed to climb the Salisbury Caves and Arthur's Seat. You start on on the caves, but they connect to Arthur's seat. I'm not one to turn down a hike, especially when promised the best view of Edinburgh, so I promptly set out for my adventure.
Some history about Arthur's Seat: Arthur's Seat is one of the places that is believed to be a possible location for Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Also, it is the collapsed remains of a volcano that last erupted 335 million years ago. It's not exactly the highest climb, but at some points...especially near the top...you have to use your hands also, and with the snowy rain, it was very slippery. When I got back, I researched some more information about Arthur's seat. I found out that their is tales of witchcraft linked to the mountain. Also, it is not the safest hike, so many people have fallen off the cliffs (Don't freak out, Mom, I'm alive to tell the tales). Most people don't die when they fall, and it's almost 1000feet from the ground. 4 people have been recorded who have tried to jump to end their lives, and not all were successful.
2 quick notes: 1. climbing in a tighter fitting pair of jeans and converse=not the best idea...but when dressing that morning, climbing an ancient volcano wasn't in my plans. 2. Climbing in really windy snow on a cold day, also not one of my smartest decisions, but so worth it!
The first part of the way I up I met a girl from Argentina. She was 22 and just traveling for awhile. We talked for half the way up, before she didn't feel like climbing anymore. I love how I'm just meeting random people from all over the world. Sure, I'll probably never see most of them again, but culturally the conversations are so interesting!
I started to get a little nervous as I was climbing by myself. The wind was really strong, and I'm not the easiest person to blow over, but there were times when I felt like it could push me down. I'm afraid of heights (some of you know that I wanted to be a roofer, but sadly this fear dampened those dreams). The previous night I met a man who is 100 percent convinced the world is ending in 2012, and he told me that I should live 2011 with no regrets, so I kept climbing. I'm so glad I did, because I felt amazing at the top. I sat for awhile, just content with myself, and being awestruck by the views. Pictures don't do it any justice, but I'll put some up you can get an idea.
 |
| Let's keep in mind how bundled up I was, as it was freezing. This isn't from the tippy top, but it was where I ran into another person. |
 |
| This is how steep parts were, without paths, that I climbed up. |
 |
| This is part of what is left of St. Anthony's Chaple |
At the very bottom, there was a pond full of swans that was absolutely beautiful. If you've ever seen the movie, The Notebook, it was sort of like when Noah and Allie are in the boat on the water.
I met up that night for dinner with the girls that changed all the plans. It was a little awkward, but they're the ones that changed the plans, so I have nothing to feel bad about. After dinner I realized that Scotland was the best experience I could have had. Some of my accomplishments may seem trivial, but to me they were empowering. I forced myself to meet so many new people: Aussies, Finnish girls, Argentinians, and French girls. I learned so much from each of them about their culture and their travels. I navigated myself around, never getting lost. Well, I might have been lost, but I never had a plan of where I was going so I'll never really know. This weekend was about me, and I realized that I'm perfectly fine on my own, and doing what I want and standing up for what I think is right is what will make me happy. I had an absolute blast, even if it didn't go as planned.
Tid Bits
1. As you're all aware (and if not, I worry that you've been quite late getting places this week) you had Daylight Savings Time on Sunday. Italy doesn't change the clocks for another 2 weeks. Wouldn't it be easier for, I don't know...the WHOLE WORLD, if everyone changed their clocks at the same time?
2. Dad, I almost bought egg dishes in each place. I didn't. I think I have enough now.
3. All the Christian, but not Catholic, churches in Scotland and Ireland had little play areas in back for the kids. Fully equipped with toys, crayons, and comfy rugs.
4. As my friend said, the pounds we were dropping were not the ones we wanted. Scotland's currency is the pound and the exchange rate was awful.
Spring Break Part III: Galway Girl
Monday
Galway
(Title of Post refers to the song Galway Girl, not me)
AGAIN, PICTURES TO COME TOMORROW
Monday morning Mary Beth and I woke up early to hostel mates in the shower together. Real Lovely. After that, I decided my hair wasn't dirty enough to get in that shower, so our day started rather early. It was dedicated to exploring Galway. There aren't too many tourist attractions in Galway, and I think that is why I loved it so much. You really got a feel of an Irish city.
We walked up and down shop street, which big surprise is full of shops (and also the majority of the pubs), just admiring the Irish sweaters, claddagh rings, and knicknacks.
On our sight seeing adventure (the Spanish Arch, the Cathedral, and the Docks) we came across a small church, and it was Saint Ignatius, so naturally, being the devoted Jesuits that we are, we went inside.
We walked along the beautiful river to the cathedral which was very pretty. The Architecture and design in the churches is so much different than in Rome. At first, I will admit, I wasn't very impressed because I'm so use to the magical cathedrals of Italy, but then while I was sitting in a pew admiring everything, I realized that it was equally as beautiful as all the other churches in Italy, just different. It fits the Irish culture, and that's what makes it amazing. In Rome, the church was all about presentation and flaunting, but that aspect was never really part of Ireland.
We headed to the docks overlooking the Bay of Galway, and I thought it was absolutely marvelous.
That night I met 2 girls from France in my hostel. I went out to dinner with them. One's English was perfect, and the second girl's was pretty good too, but she had a little trouble. It was easy to converse with them, and I ended up having a great night. One is studying to be a pharmacist, and the other wants to be an occupational therapist. I really love meeting all these foreign people. It opens up so many new opportunities and insights. It was really interesting to discuss the different cultures. I really had a wonderful time.
The next morning I met up with my friend from McAuley and Marquette (actually next year we're living in the same house...just on different floors). I had so much fun with her! We went out to lunch at this super cute little burger joint. I had the best veggie burger I've ever had. (I'm a vegetarian again). You pulled the menus out of old record covers; it was very cool. Then we headed to her house...she lives with 7 other girls. I'm so jealous of her house. They have a balcony overlooking the bay, and you can see the seals jumping in and out of the water.
I met some Marquette people I didn't know along with a bunch of her other friends...all who were great! It was one of her friend's 21st birthdays, so we went out for that. We started at a pub with Karaoke, and then went to a pub with live music. It was sad to leave her, and Ireland. But it was by far, one of the best nights I had in Ireland.
A Wee Bit Of Information
1. In the seven days I was in Ireland, it only lightly drizzled for ten minutes on the last day.
2. Gerard Butler never came and found me...but he's actually Scottish anyway, so I'm over it.
3. Have I mentioned how much I love Ireland? (Not that I don't love Italy, because I am in love with Italy...I love them both)
Galway
(Title of Post refers to the song Galway Girl, not me)
AGAIN, PICTURES TO COME TOMORROW
Monday morning Mary Beth and I woke up early to hostel mates in the shower together. Real Lovely. After that, I decided my hair wasn't dirty enough to get in that shower, so our day started rather early. It was dedicated to exploring Galway. There aren't too many tourist attractions in Galway, and I think that is why I loved it so much. You really got a feel of an Irish city.
We walked up and down shop street, which big surprise is full of shops (and also the majority of the pubs), just admiring the Irish sweaters, claddagh rings, and knicknacks.
On our sight seeing adventure (the Spanish Arch, the Cathedral, and the Docks) we came across a small church, and it was Saint Ignatius, so naturally, being the devoted Jesuits that we are, we went inside.
We walked along the beautiful river to the cathedral which was very pretty. The Architecture and design in the churches is so much different than in Rome. At first, I will admit, I wasn't very impressed because I'm so use to the magical cathedrals of Italy, but then while I was sitting in a pew admiring everything, I realized that it was equally as beautiful as all the other churches in Italy, just different. It fits the Irish culture, and that's what makes it amazing. In Rome, the church was all about presentation and flaunting, but that aspect was never really part of Ireland.
We headed to the docks overlooking the Bay of Galway, and I thought it was absolutely marvelous.
That night I met 2 girls from France in my hostel. I went out to dinner with them. One's English was perfect, and the second girl's was pretty good too, but she had a little trouble. It was easy to converse with them, and I ended up having a great night. One is studying to be a pharmacist, and the other wants to be an occupational therapist. I really love meeting all these foreign people. It opens up so many new opportunities and insights. It was really interesting to discuss the different cultures. I really had a wonderful time.
The next morning I met up with my friend from McAuley and Marquette (actually next year we're living in the same house...just on different floors). I had so much fun with her! We went out to lunch at this super cute little burger joint. I had the best veggie burger I've ever had. (I'm a vegetarian again). You pulled the menus out of old record covers; it was very cool. Then we headed to her house...she lives with 7 other girls. I'm so jealous of her house. They have a balcony overlooking the bay, and you can see the seals jumping in and out of the water.
I met some Marquette people I didn't know along with a bunch of her other friends...all who were great! It was one of her friend's 21st birthdays, so we went out for that. We started at a pub with Karaoke, and then went to a pub with live music. It was sad to leave her, and Ireland. But it was by far, one of the best nights I had in Ireland.
A Wee Bit Of Information
1. In the seven days I was in Ireland, it only lightly drizzled for ten minutes on the last day.
2. Gerard Butler never came and found me...but he's actually Scottish anyway, so I'm over it.
3. Have I mentioned how much I love Ireland? (Not that I don't love Italy, because I am in love with Italy...I love them both)
Spring Break Part II : ...and We're Irish to the Core...
(oh how I love the South Side Irish song)
Saturday
The Sally Gap was very neat. Martin told us that in the spring and summer all the brown turns a brilliant shade of pink and purple. It was wonderfully fabulous while brown, so imagining it even more beautiful is difficult. You've probably seen the Sally Gap in many movies, as it is a popular place for filming. Braveheart and P.S. I love you are two of the more well known ones.
Also in Wicklow Park we saw the Loch Tay, or more commonly known as Guinness Lake. It's a very dark shade, like a Guinness, and the sand that surrounds it is very white. Not surprisingly, the family who's estate borders the lake is the Guinness Family.
We went to Glendalough Abbey next. It's an abandoned monastery with only the ruins left. The cool thing about the tower, is that the door is 12 meters of the ground. Legend has it that the reason for the door being so high is protection, but in actuality that legend is false, because if they needed the protection the tower would not offer it to them due to the narrow inside and height of the door.
Near the Abbey, about 30 minutes walking, are beautiful lakes...an upper lake and a lower lake. It almost reminded me of the lake in Harlan, Kentucky, but even more stunning.
We stopped for lunch at a little pub called Fitzgibbons. I had some delicious seafood chowder with a slice of homemade brown bread. It was amazing. We then started to head back to Dublin, but on the way we stopped at Avoca. Avoca is the oldest, still operating, wool mill in Ireland. We got a tour of the mill, and then looked around the shop for a bit. It was so cool to see the machines, and they explained the process.
When we got back to Dublin we headed straight for the bus station to hop on a bus to Galway. As soon as all the little situations were settled, four of us in a different room decided we needed to go out. So we went to shop street and ran into two of our friends from JFRC. We just hung out and talked for a bit, walked around the streets, and headed back.
Sunday
Cliffs of Moher Tour
MORE PICTURES TO COME ASAP, BUT INTERNET IS BEING TOO SLOW.
The next morning we got on a bus for a tour of the Cliffs of Moher (and other things in the surrounding area). We saw so much on this tour, that for space sake I'll just give you the basics. First off was a stop along the coast!
Along the way we stopped at Corcomroe Abbey. It was similar to the abbey we say the day before, but also completely different. Here we saw the Kilfenora, or the high cross. They are wonderfully beautiful. I prefer the simple ones, but the others are so intricate also that there is something special about them.
picture
We stopped to eat lunch, but in an effort to save money some of us had packed Peanut Butter sandwiches. Mary Beth and I sat outside with our new German friend chatting. She's doing this awesome thing working for WWOOF. It's where you live and work on a farm for 4-6 hours a day, doing whatever the family needs you to do and you get free room and board. She says the families treat her like she's one of them, and that she absolutely loves it.
At the Cliffs of Moher, I fell even more in love with Ireland. They were so breathtaking. I don't even know where to begin to describe them. The group split up, and Mary Beth and I wandered past the sign that said caution, don't go past. But other people were doing it also, so it was safe. And I'm so glad we did. We went all the way to the end, and each step farther that we got was more and more beautiful. I promise to add the pictures as soon as I can. Looking down over the cliffs was amazing. You can see the water splashing up against them. The crashing waves sound almost as beautiful as it looks. From the end of the cliffs you can see the lookout far in the distance. Personally, I think we got a better view from where we were than in the lookout, but adventure isn't for everyone. I honestly cannot describe how I felt just sitting and staring out into the distance.
On the way home we stopped at a castle while the sun was setting. I have to steal a picture from another girl, because she got one when we passed on the way there too. The tide hadn't come in yet so the same scenery looks completely different only hours apart.
picture
We also stopped at a Ballyalban Fairy Fort. Fairy Forts are when the trees form a circle. No one ever thinks of cutting the fairy forts down. Our tour guide bus driver told us that one time it caused such huge debates because they wanted to knock one down for a road, but in the end tradition won and they built the road around it.
picture.
The two days of tours were amazing, but exhausting. We attempted to go to the pubs that night, but Sundays in Ireland are very similar to Sundays in Italy in that everything shuts down rather early.
Random Facts
1. Unemployment is a major issue right now in Ireland. Our bus driver explained to us told us that it is very common for temporary hire. You never know how long you'll have a job for, and they all understand it's not necessarily because they aren't good workers, but because the employers don't have the money to pay them.
2. I sat next to a woman (for part of the bus ride) who has lived in Milan for the past 25 years teaching English. She's from Portland and says she hasn't been home in over ten years. (she's going home to visit her siblings in a few weeks) I really want to continue traveling, and maybe even work abroad, but I can't imagine not going home for ten years, especially if I still have family there.
Saturday
Wicklow Day Tour
"When Life as You Know it Ends"
Saturday morning all ten of us boarded a tour bus to see some of the Ireland countryside. Our bus driver/tour guide's name was Martin. He was very funny and informative. He started out the morning telling us he didn't want to get out of bed because he had a late night at the pub with his friends, so he came up with a plan B: taking us to a pub and just telling us what we would have seen. Not many people found that funny, so the tour went on.
We went in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Through it, we made plenty of stops to take in the scenery and snap some photos.
The Sally Gap was very neat. Martin told us that in the spring and summer all the brown turns a brilliant shade of pink and purple. It was wonderfully fabulous while brown, so imagining it even more beautiful is difficult. You've probably seen the Sally Gap in many movies, as it is a popular place for filming. Braveheart and P.S. I love you are two of the more well known ones.
 |
| The dark brown will be pink or purple in the spring and summer. |
 |
| A look out into the mountains. All of the tress are replanted if one is taken down. |
Also in Wicklow Park we saw the Loch Tay, or more commonly known as Guinness Lake. It's a very dark shade, like a Guinness, and the sand that surrounds it is very white. Not surprisingly, the family who's estate borders the lake is the Guinness Family.
 |
| Loch Tay (Guinness Lake)...you can't really see the white sand in this one because of the fog, but you can tell how dark the water is. |
 |
| This is a view from our hike to the lake |
We went to Glendalough Abbey next. It's an abandoned monastery with only the ruins left. The cool thing about the tower, is that the door is 12 meters of the ground. Legend has it that the reason for the door being so high is protection, but in actuality that legend is false, because if they needed the protection the tower would not offer it to them due to the narrow inside and height of the door.
 |
| You can see the tower in the back, the graves are of those who lived in the abbey. |
 |
| View from the Abbey |
 |
| Old chapel in the Abbey |
 |
| Upper Lake |
 | ||
| This is part of the mill...mostly the spools of wool, but you can sort of see the machine in the background. |
When we got back to Dublin we headed straight for the bus station to hop on a bus to Galway. As soon as all the little situations were settled, four of us in a different room decided we needed to go out. So we went to shop street and ran into two of our friends from JFRC. We just hung out and talked for a bit, walked around the streets, and headed back.
Sunday
Cliffs of Moher Tour
MORE PICTURES TO COME ASAP, BUT INTERNET IS BEING TOO SLOW.
The next morning we got on a bus for a tour of the Cliffs of Moher (and other things in the surrounding area). We saw so much on this tour, that for space sake I'll just give you the basics. First off was a stop along the coast!
 |
| We stopped along the coast on the way for a few minutes to take pictures and soak in the view. |
picture
We stopped to eat lunch, but in an effort to save money some of us had packed Peanut Butter sandwiches. Mary Beth and I sat outside with our new German friend chatting. She's doing this awesome thing working for WWOOF. It's where you live and work on a farm for 4-6 hours a day, doing whatever the family needs you to do and you get free room and board. She says the families treat her like she's one of them, and that she absolutely loves it.
At the Cliffs of Moher, I fell even more in love with Ireland. They were so breathtaking. I don't even know where to begin to describe them. The group split up, and Mary Beth and I wandered past the sign that said caution, don't go past. But other people were doing it also, so it was safe. And I'm so glad we did. We went all the way to the end, and each step farther that we got was more and more beautiful. I promise to add the pictures as soon as I can. Looking down over the cliffs was amazing. You can see the water splashing up against them. The crashing waves sound almost as beautiful as it looks. From the end of the cliffs you can see the lookout far in the distance. Personally, I think we got a better view from where we were than in the lookout, but adventure isn't for everyone. I honestly cannot describe how I felt just sitting and staring out into the distance.
 |
| A look from far beyond the cliffs. |
On the way home we stopped at a castle while the sun was setting. I have to steal a picture from another girl, because she got one when we passed on the way there too. The tide hadn't come in yet so the same scenery looks completely different only hours apart.
picture
We also stopped at a Ballyalban Fairy Fort. Fairy Forts are when the trees form a circle. No one ever thinks of cutting the fairy forts down. Our tour guide bus driver told us that one time it caused such huge debates because they wanted to knock one down for a road, but in the end tradition won and they built the road around it.
picture.
The two days of tours were amazing, but exhausting. We attempted to go to the pubs that night, but Sundays in Ireland are very similar to Sundays in Italy in that everything shuts down rather early.
Random Facts
1. Unemployment is a major issue right now in Ireland. Our bus driver explained to us told us that it is very common for temporary hire. You never know how long you'll have a job for, and they all understand it's not necessarily because they aren't good workers, but because the employers don't have the money to pay them.
2. I sat next to a woman (for part of the bus ride) who has lived in Milan for the past 25 years teaching English. She's from Portland and says she hasn't been home in over ten years. (she's going home to visit her siblings in a few weeks) I really want to continue traveling, and maybe even work abroad, but I can't imagine not going home for ten years, especially if I still have family there.
12.3.11
Spring Break Part I
Midterms.
Need I say more?
Yes I should, because even though midterms are midterms, and everyone must take them, they were perhaps, the bane of my existence. Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but everything that could go wrong last week did.
1. Laundry ruined a majority of my clothes...including my northface (aka my only warm jacket here)
2. Laptop broken, had one of three papers due tomorrow finished on it.
3. While writing a different paper, finishing up the bibliography, school computer shuts down, and I have to rewrite that paper.
4. On the way home from an onsight class, I saw the police getting on and off buses checking for tickets, so I walked home. in the rain. (ok, for this one I guess I could have sucked it up and bought a ticket)
5. The actual Midterms (which turned out to be not so bad)
6. Many more things not worth mentioning, because this was all last week before my wonderful spring break.
Anyway by Thursday my only hope was to find a four leaf clover or to meet a leprechaun. And I feared my plane crashing, lost baggage, or any other travel mishaps. Well spoiler alert: no four leaf clover or leprechaun, but I had an AMAZING spring break in Ireland and Scotland!
Thursday Night
Our flight to Dublin got in pretty late on Thursday, we got on a shuttle into the city...and small world...I ran into a friend who is studying in Paris. Once we find our hostel (pretty nice: clean, lockers, comfortable, good location), we threw our stuff down and headed for our first true Irish pub in the Temple Bar area. There was live music and plenty of people with brogues!
A Cup of Tea
Friday Morning
Dublin
Now bare with me, because this next part is about my Mercy education and my love for my nuns. Mother McAuley started the Sisters of Mercy and opened up her house on Baggot Street in Dublin. There's really no use in trying to explain the Mercy obsession, because you already understand it if you're a McAuley girl, and you never will if you're not. Anyway, three of the other girls I went to Dublin with went to Mercy schools (2 in Philly and 1 in Buffalo). I also met up with my friend, Brigid, who went to McAuley with me, and now rows with me at Marquette (she's studying in Dublin this semester). We awkwardly rang the doorbell, and the sweetest nun showed us around.
The chapel was built by Catherine, well she was present while it was being built. It was a really pretty chapel with a gorgeous organ. The Cross shown below is made of the jewelry that the women who entered the order donated. Donated probably isn't the best word, because they had to give it up, but you get the idea. Also in various parts of the house is her tea set (sharing a cup of tea is part of HOW WE TELL THE STORY), her prayer book, her pew in which she prayed.
She is buried outside, on her tombstone inside the mausoleum are the words of the suscipe.
Another sister came out to show us the first Mercy school (very cool), the infirmary where Catherine died, and the room in which she lived. Then she took us to a small gift shop where I was able to buy a postcard for my nunnies back home. It probably sounds dumb to any of you still reading this section that don't know why I love McAuley so much, but it was a very cool experience, and my high school years came flying back to me (cause you know I'm just so old now).
"THERE IS POETRY IN EVERY PINT OF GUINNESS"
After the lovely excursion to the Mercy House, we walked around in some of the shops for a bit. Hit up the grocery store to buy loaves of bread and jars of peanut butter to feed us for the week. (Peanut Butter is an essential food that Italy is missing, but it definitely saved us some money in Ireland.)
We also briefly stopped at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Dublin Castle, and Christ Church. I give you full permission to call me cheap, but I didn't go into St. Patrick's...The main reason was I heard it was more inspiring from outside, and I peeked in, and I have to agree. Picture to come.
Then we met up with the rest of the group (There were ten of us total) at the Guinness Storehouse to do the legendary Guinness tour. I honestly was very impressed by the tour. I learned more about the brewing of guinness than I ever thought I would. You were even allowed to taste the roasted barley. To me, it tasted like a mixture of coffee and burnt popcorn, but left a funny after taste (the barley, not the guinness).
The tour was very detailed, like I said, except that it wasn't a guided tour, you made it what you wanted. My favorite floor was the advertisement floor. It showed all the old advertisements. I took lots of pictures, but don't worry, I'll only put up a few.
On the fourth floor there was free Guinness tasting (about 1/4 of a pint), and at the end of the tour at the Gravity bar you could claim your free pint. I just had a few tastes, but it was good.
The day in Dublin wasn't over yet, we went out for a dinner at a Pub together. It was more restauranty than pubish though, and I got myself a nice bowl of soup.
Mind Boggling Facts
1. Arthur Guinness signed the lease for the building for 9000 years. That is absolutely true, and you can see the paperwork as soon as you enter the factory.
2. My new life plan is to marry an Irishman (well that's not new, the new part is, I will be very content being a potato farmer's wife. I'm sure my mom could teach me to whip up some mean mashed potatoes). I just hope that field pays off my student loans.
3. The Harp.
Need I say more?
Yes I should, because even though midterms are midterms, and everyone must take them, they were perhaps, the bane of my existence. Ok, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but everything that could go wrong last week did.
1. Laundry ruined a majority of my clothes...including my northface (aka my only warm jacket here)
2. Laptop broken, had one of three papers due tomorrow finished on it.
3. While writing a different paper, finishing up the bibliography, school computer shuts down, and I have to rewrite that paper.
4. On the way home from an onsight class, I saw the police getting on and off buses checking for tickets, so I walked home. in the rain. (ok, for this one I guess I could have sucked it up and bought a ticket)
5. The actual Midterms (which turned out to be not so bad)
6. Many more things not worth mentioning, because this was all last week before my wonderful spring break.
Anyway by Thursday my only hope was to find a four leaf clover or to meet a leprechaun. And I feared my plane crashing, lost baggage, or any other travel mishaps. Well spoiler alert: no four leaf clover or leprechaun, but I had an AMAZING spring break in Ireland and Scotland!
Thursday Night
Our flight to Dublin got in pretty late on Thursday, we got on a shuttle into the city...and small world...I ran into a friend who is studying in Paris. Once we find our hostel (pretty nice: clean, lockers, comfortable, good location), we threw our stuff down and headed for our first true Irish pub in the Temple Bar area. There was live music and plenty of people with brogues!
A Cup of Tea
Friday Morning
Dublin
Now bare with me, because this next part is about my Mercy education and my love for my nuns. Mother McAuley started the Sisters of Mercy and opened up her house on Baggot Street in Dublin. There's really no use in trying to explain the Mercy obsession, because you already understand it if you're a McAuley girl, and you never will if you're not. Anyway, three of the other girls I went to Dublin with went to Mercy schools (2 in Philly and 1 in Buffalo). I also met up with my friend, Brigid, who went to McAuley with me, and now rows with me at Marquette (she's studying in Dublin this semester). We awkwardly rang the doorbell, and the sweetest nun showed us around.
 | |
| Outside the Mercy House on Baggot Street in front of Catherine McAuley | . |
 | |||||||||||
| Jewelry Cross |
 |
| Mother Catherine McAuley's grave |
"THERE IS POETRY IN EVERY PINT OF GUINNESS"
After the lovely excursion to the Mercy House, we walked around in some of the shops for a bit. Hit up the grocery store to buy loaves of bread and jars of peanut butter to feed us for the week. (Peanut Butter is an essential food that Italy is missing, but it definitely saved us some money in Ireland.)
We also briefly stopped at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Dublin Castle, and Christ Church. I give you full permission to call me cheap, but I didn't go into St. Patrick's...The main reason was I heard it was more inspiring from outside, and I peeked in, and I have to agree. Picture to come.
 |
| I'll flip this around too, but one of the really interesting parts of the factory was all of the old equipment...they even have some of the original yeast on display. |
The tour was very detailed, like I said, except that it wasn't a guided tour, you made it what you wanted. My favorite floor was the advertisement floor. It showed all the old advertisements. I took lots of pictures, but don't worry, I'll only put up a few.
 |
| This one reminded me of rowing for obvious reasons. If only the coaches trained us in this way. |
 |
| This is on the fourth floor, right near where the free tasting was. |
The day in Dublin wasn't over yet, we went out for a dinner at a Pub together. It was more restauranty than pubish though, and I got myself a nice bowl of soup.
Mind Boggling Facts
1. Arthur Guinness signed the lease for the building for 9000 years. That is absolutely true, and you can see the paperwork as soon as you enter the factory.
2. My new life plan is to marry an Irishman (well that's not new, the new part is, I will be very content being a potato farmer's wife. I'm sure my mom could teach me to whip up some mean mashed potatoes). I just hope that field pays off my student loans.
3. The Harp.
 |
| Again, I'll flip, but this harp just reminded me of Nana in Oak Lawn, so I took a picture, and since it's in Ireland that made it even better. You probably are thinking, if you aren't family, that my Nana played the harp, but one day we were playing scattegories at her dining room table (I was probably sitting on a towel so I wouldn't ruin her chairs) and the letter was "H" and the phrase was "something you'd hide under your bed". Nana said Harp, and for some reason everyone found it hysterical and that has always stuck with me. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)